All the usual Almodovar traits are here: sex, violence, androgyny and plot twists. Couldn't get any more than moderately excited by any of it.

With such a terrific storyline with so many bizarre and dark twists, it'd be a sin to reveal any plot points, so I'll instead just lazily refer to this film with an overused internet quote -- "this film gives me the weirdest boner" hurr hurr hurr (but it's true!)

I'll say this right up front: don't watch any trailers for this one! Go in knowing as little as possible. On that note, I loved this movie and found it thoroughly entertaining. An original story with a beautiful score and equally beautiful locations make for a movie you won't forget. Elena Anaya is obviously beautiful and has a hell of a performance to boot. With Banderas in so many mediocre films lately, my respect level has shot up. Also see the 1960 horror film Eyes Without a Face.

Disturbing...

I love how weird this is. Sometimes Almodovar is weird in a bad way for me, sometimes a good way, but this one hit the spot.

Very intense and atmospheric throughout. Its only disadvantage is the fact that it got a little bit too perverse towards the end but it still ranks among Almodovar's finest efforts.

Almodóvar twists together Oldboy and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. I was incredibly skeptical at the trailer but the film surpasses all expectations. One of the best twists of the year too, no doubt. I still feel a little fraudulent being a Spaniard who only knows Almodóvar and the Spirit of the Beehive as examples of Spanish cinema, but in this case, it's justifiable.

Thought it was all over the place for the first hour or so, but when the twist is revealed all is explained and you can see that there were a few clues in there. Very clever film, well acted by all.

Aesthetics-wise, it is stunning with some interesting albeit bizarre psychosexual overtones that gave me a queasy kind of enjoyment. But as to the characters' motivations, I was unconvinced. Needed more fleshing out.

Almodóvar might be the only director working today who can write a story like this. Well directed and acted too.

Superb production values and a complex presentation of interesting themes make this melodrama about transformation and reinvention yet further confirmation that Almodóvar is the contemporary director who has most transformed and reinvented himself, from a talented but rather sensationalist perpetrator of farces in the 20th century to the masterful cinematic craftsman he has become in the 21st (well the change may have taken place in 1999 with "All About My Mother," but you get my point).

Fascinating and disturbing. There's a number of plot contrivances, but everything about the story and the characters is compelling so the bumpiness is easily forgotten. The acting stands out as well, but it's worth noting that the actors are given a lot to work with -- complex, three-dimensional characters and an unpredictable, unusual story.

This is that film from 2011 that left me scratching my head after it ended. I am totally in love with the way Almadovar presents narrative. It's very confusing, but in a good way. When you at last connect the dots you feel like a kid solving big puzzle. Everything about this film is on the level.

A day in the life of Antonio Banderas...

Reminded me of "Abre los ojos" somehow. The ending was no surprise.

The whole sexual identity thing worked out pretty well for me this time. After seeing all those exceedingly melodramic and feminine Almadovar films over years. At last.

Almodovar is at it again with his beloved themes of gender identity and control. What The Skin I Live In lacks in subtlety, it makes up for in suspense. The pacing in this one throws me off a bit, as the film as a whole feels too lean given some of the complex themes at work here. Still, fantastically shot and acted.